Fermentation is fun, but you will want a fermentation crock. Do either canning- the jams, jellies, and relishes or fermentation- some pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, hot sauces, etc. the canning is cheaper to start, some of those crocks are pricey.
http://www.amazon.com/Jams-Jellies-Other-Sweet-Preserves/dp/1558324062?SubscriptionId=AKIAIFGAOGBLEYSGXNZQ&tag=wp-amazon-associate-20

The Sandor Katz book on fermentation would be a great add on.

The jars with the airlocks are for fermenting foods (like sauerkraut) -- agree with PP, get the mason jars with bands and lids. And a couple of extra packages of lids -- the bands and jars are reusable but the lids are not.

A set of canning tools (wide-mouth funnel, jar tongs).

http://www.amazon.com/Norpro-6-Piece-Canning-Set/dp/B0000DDVMH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418262207&sr=8-1&keywords=canning+tools

get her this book: http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Wheelbarrows-Practical-Pantry-Techniques/dp/0393240738

It's beautiful, a local writer, and when I sampled her stuff, it was AMAZING

How nice! If she hasn't canned before, the Ball Book Cookbook is a good idea, and maybe a canning set like this: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-1460235/granite-ware-9-pc-canner-set.jsp?ci_mcc=ci&srccode=cii_17588969&cpncode=44-17186328-2&CID=shopping15

At a minimum, you need mason jars and lids. i would not get the kind you say below - I would get this kind. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ball-9-Count-24-Ounce-Wide-Mouth-Jars-with-Lids-and-Bands/21290196

I have an aunt who loves to cook/bake/smoke (food)/grill/roast and grind her own coffee and has lots of time on her hands. I was thinking about getting her pickling/canning supplies for Christmas. What do I need to know/get/avoid? I was thinking a cookbook + jars + some of those pickling jar tops. Has anyone tried any of those tops? They look like plastic lids with some type of plastic or glass valves sticking out of the top.